Pastoral Message
As we journey through Lent together again, I find myself marveling at the sheer number of opportunities provided for fresh starts. A couple of months ago we started the beginning of a new church year with the season of Advent, we followed that with a new calendar year - Hello, 2024! And now we have entered into Lent; a season designed around how we are invited, instructed, and welcome to “turn around” to turn towards God (repent) to find a welcome embrace and a fresh opportunity to live into God’s love and call on our lives. Sometimes “church” gets a bad reputation for “convicting” sinners or preaching a “turn or burn” (get right with God or you’ll burn forever - and we have the only way for you to get right with God) theology of fear. In my life, I have found that it is very hard to admit the need for help, express regret and sorrow for failures, ask for forgiveness, and ask for help.
In my faith life, I have found that the love of God does not pause to reflect how many times a person seeks forgiveness. In my relationships with others, I have struggled with forgiveness and found that my life is improved by granting it as freely and as frequently as I have received it from God. While Lent is a solemn and reflective season, it is rooted in the practice of turning more and more Godward until all of our thoughts and actions are hemmed in with the understanding that our lives are focused on God and we acknowledge divine grace and forgiveness in our lives. We are not called to repent so that we can remember and dwell on every action that created a need for forgiveness. We are called to turn our hearts, minds, and lives towards God, who is the source of all love and forgiveness. Love was born in Bethlehem. Forgiveness and healing were brought throughout the land wherever Jesus went. Jesus sent his followers to offer good news, healing, and forgiveness. We are called to new life in Christ. Forgiveness fills the empty tomb.
Lent is a season that should teach us that it is never too late to turn towards God. We cannot make this turn too often. Every day? We could turn God-ward every day. Every hour? Even better! Every breath? Ideal!!!
Repetition is good - and it can create a good habit. There was a time when I struggled mightily with forgiveness. I consciously and regularly visualized taking my anger and resentment and “wrapping it” with forgiveness and putting it down on the Table. I did this quite often, many times an hour, for a couple of years. Now, when I think of the situation, I automatically draw up an image of forgiveness and grace. How long will it take, do you think, before you can think about Lent as an opportunity to grow closer to God and deeply contend with the joy of drawing close to the holy?
Blessings on your Lenten Journey
Pastor Kristi
